SMALL firms in one of the UK’s most remote rural areas are gearing up for a new era of prosperity following the arrival of high speed mobile broadband.

Small firms in one of the UK’s most remote rural areas are gearing up for a new era of prosperity following the arrival of high speed mobile broadband.

Businesses that took part in a trial of superior 4G connection speeds in Cumbria are already reporting progress, with the power to include or refresh videos, greater marketing capability boosting customer interest and time savings the equivalent of two working days a week.

Enthusiasm for the pilot, a joint venture between the Lake District’s Northern Fells community and network operator EE (owner of the Orange and T-Mobile brands), was so great it was extended to include seven more parishes.

The mobile provider used its existing airwaves to launch 4G last autumn, ahead of its competitors.

The Northern Fells are among the most difficult of internet blackspots.

Added to usual drawbacks, such as long distances from an exchange diluting speeds and a low population density reducing commercial viability, this rural paradise also features Blencathra, one of England’s highest peaks and a prime signal blocker.

The mountain is on the secluded doorstep of Steve and Jill Woolley who run seven self-catering cottages in Near Howe, Mungrisdale.

Backed by local MP, Rory Stewart, they seized the opportunity offered by the pilot, then pushed for its expansion.

“The wait for routes was too long and potentially costly, and we needed 4G’s speed and consistency,” says Steve Woolley, 54.

“Guests expect access to top high-speed broadband.

“It’s the difference between people booking or going elsewhere,” he explains.

Companies seeking the communication upgrade should work out what individual solution would benef it them most from an improved signal, he advises.

“We planned what and where across our site. So we have an antenna mounted on our house and then distributed to the cottages via four access points using microwave links.”

The benefits followed quickly, he says. “The speed increased from two megabytes per second to 20 and is still going up. “EE solved our different problems very professionally.

“We’re saving 14 hours a week, devoting more time to business development, inquiries are up 30 per cent, we are able to respond quicker and be more competitive in return for a £20 to £30 a month service.

“The connection has helped our children with their education, will make starting a home business possible for many more, and for our community to grow and have a future,” adds Woolley.

Steve & Jill Woolley who run seven self-catering cottages in Near Howe

The introduction of 4G will give us a reliable broadband and telephony option, a huge improvement

Bob Clark, local livestock farmer

Another organisation on the trial, the environmental education charity Field Studies Council, is planning to display the majestic setting of its Blencathra centre and students at work by streaming live video to its website.

“It will be a tremendous advert for what we and the national park can offer,” says Tim Foster, head of the centre, which holds courses for 10,000 students annually, from schoolchildren to pensioners, from the UK and overseas.

“Broadband is essential for education and we’re already realising how much more we will be able to do in areas such as electronic mapping and app development,” says Foster.

Farmers and their associated tourism and food retail businesses could also see multiple gains from the 4G roll-out, according to David Collier, the National Farmers’ Union chief rural affairs adviser.

In a recent NFU survey members saw the main benefits as enabling them to spend more time caring for the environment, shopping for good fuel deals, helping them file VAT returns, easier communication with vets

and, in future, allowing them to take advantage of new telemedicine techniques for animal complaints.

For livestock farmer Bob Clark, whose Stone Ends farm sits on the side of Carrock Fell, 4G will be a game changer.

“The introduction of 4G will give us a reliable broadband and telephony option, a huge improvement,” he says.